Exploring Amorality in Chie Hayakawa’s Renoir: A Review from Cannes 2025
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5 stars)
In Chie Hayakawa’s latest cinematic exploration, Renoir, emotional outbursts are notably absent. The film captures a world where characters navigate their realities with eerily calm demeanors, rarely shedding tears, even when faced with death, mourning, or the disintegration of intimate relationships. This striking portrayal lends a unique ambiance to the narrative, inviting viewers to ponder deeper questions of morality and humanity.
A Departure from Distopia: The Setting of Renoir
While Hayakawa’s debut, Plan 75, immersed audiences in a harrowing dystopia where the elderly are pressured into state-sponsored euthanasia, Renoir shifts gears to a more grounded and nuanced narrative. Set in 1980s Japan, the story revolves around a schoolgirl grappling with her father’s terminal cancer. Through her eyes, we witness a poignant rite of passage – a reflection of childhood innocence caught amidst complex societal dilemmas.
A Child’s Journey Through Societal Norms
In Renoir, Hayakawa presents an empathetic portrait of a young girl as she confronts the stark realities of life and death. The protagonist’s journey becomes a symbolic exploration of the moral ambiguities that surround her. Hayakawa deftly critiques the entrenched social norms that may have made the chilling realities of Plan 75 disturbingly plausible.
Charged Atmosphere and Striking Aesthetic
Renoir premiered at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, where it garnered much attention for its sound screenplay and carefully crafted mise-en-scène. Hayakawa juxtaposes her characters’ emotional frostiness with the warm, vibrant color palettes of cluttered Japanese interiors, creating a striking visual contrast that enhances the film’s thematic depth. The setting becomes almost a character in itself, reflecting the emotional barricades the individuals erect against their harsh realities.
Timely Reflections on Amorality
More than just a narrative about a dying father, Renoir functions as a cultural critique. It compels the audience to confront uncomfortable truths about moral complacency in society. The film’s poignant moments underscore the complexities of human emotions that, in many ways, are stifled by societal expectations and norms.
Final Thoughts: A Beautifully Crafted Reflection
Chie Hayakawa’s Renoir invites us to reflect on what it means to live with amorality in a world that often seems devoid of emotion. This film transcends typical coming-of-age narratives, offering a deeper meditation on life, death, and the societal fabric that weaves our experiences together.
As the credits roll, viewers are left questioning the essence of empathy in their own lives—a testament to Hayakawa’s talent in weaving thought-provoking tales that resonate beyond the screen.
For more insights on cinema and film critiques, check out Variety and The Hollywood Reporter.
Feel free to immerse yourself in the complex narratives and emotional landscapes that filmmakers like Chie Hayakawa craft—Renoir is a cinematic journey worth experiencing.
